BGHS JAZZ BAND IS NATIONAL FINALIST

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Battle Ground High School Advanced Jazz Band members will compete at a national jazz competition at Lincoln Center in New York City.

The Tiger band ranked among 15 finalists in Essentially Ellington, an annual, prestigious national jazz competition.

Essentially Ellington Jazz Band Competition & Festival judges selected Battle Ground's compact disc recording from 97 entries submitted on from 97 high schools.

High school jazz bands in the U.S., Canada, Australia and American schools abroad are invited to compete in the Ellington jazz competition each year.

A competition overview said more than 900 bands received Ellington compositions and contest materials.

A sound engineer in Portland said he heard that more than 500 schools would submit contest recordings, said McKelvey. The band director said many bands intend to submit entries, but bow out without submitting them after unsatisfactory rehearsals.

Each band entering the contest submitted a compact disc containing three renditions of Duke Ellington arrangements. Contest rules required at least two renditions from newly-released Ellington arrangements, said McKelvey.

"We chose three newly-released arrangements," said McKelvey. Songs selected were Latin American Sunshine, All Too Soon, and Braggin' In Brass.

It took five hours of recording and re-recording at a Portland studio before everyone was satisfied, said McKelvey. Contest rules prohibit dubbing or other compact disc corrections, he said.

McKelvey said his shouts of joy were loud enough to alarm students near his office when a Feb. 28 telephone call from New York invited the Tiger band to New York finals.

Washington will be well represented when finalist bands compete in New York City on May 18-20 for cash awards ranging from $200 to $1,000. Three Seattle-area high school jazz bands are also finalists.

Band members are seniors Erik Bay, Scott Bay, Joseph Early, Matthew Hokanson, Kellie Holden, Riley Watkins and Sarah Zietz; juniors Tony Bureker, Erik Eastvedt, Lance Gourlie, Cameron Kelley, Forest Marler, Matthew Moss, Rebecca Poole and Kenny Sawyer; sophomores Rachel Cooper, Courtney Coyer, Joshua Dargavell, Elizabeth Griffin, Erin Johnston, Kaitlyn Sanborn and Jessica Taylor; and freshman Zachary Ferguson.

Funding help sought

McKelvey said travel and lodging expenses are not paid by the Essentially Ellington organization.

"We need citizens and our business community to help so we can spend more time practicing than fundraising," said McKelvey.

Donations can be sent to "Jazz Band New York," Battle Ground High School, P.O. Box 200, Battle Ground, WA 98604.

MAN HURT IN HAIL MISHAP

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Hail from an afternoon thunderstorm March 6 was reportedly the cause of a one-vehicle accident on SR-503 east of Kelly Rd., said a state patrol report.

Baruch S. Biggs, 23, of Vancouver suffered back and leg injuries after losing control of his 2003 Ford Ranger Pickup about 2 p.m. and hitting a tree, the report said.

Although Biggs was taken by Life Flight to Southwest Washington Medical Center, his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, said trooper Mike Kesler, adding that the helicopter was called as a precaution.

Biggs was not cited for the accident.

BG YOUTH DIES AT SCOUT CAMP

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A 16-year-old Eagle Scout from Battle Ground died on his way to breakfast March 12 at a Boy Scout camp in Tillamook, OR.

Jory Lohnes, a junior at CAM High School, collapsed while walking to the mess hall, said Cascade Pacific Council spokesperson Don Cornell.

Health officers immediately tried to revive the youth until an ambulance arrived, Cornell said. Lohnes was pronounced dead at Tillamook County General Hospital.

Lohnes, along with 250 other scouts and adults, was attending an annual Order of the Arrow rendezvous at Camp Meriwether on the coast.

The event is a weekend-long training session for older youths who are part of an honor scout organization.

Lohnes and others were being trained in the mission of cheerful service, Cornell said.

Lohnes was a member of troop 475 in Battle Ground under the direction of Scout master Mike McElveney. He joined Cub Scouts while in second grade.

For his Eagle project, Lohnes raised funds from Battle Ground business owners and supervised the construction of a wetlands walking trail in Hockinson.

He is the son of Brian and Kim Lohnes of Battle Ground.

The exact cause of death is under investigation, Cornell said.

EDITORIAL:

MEADOW GLADE ADVENTIST CHURCH TO NOTE 100 YEARS

The Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary with special services Sat., March 18, 10:45 a.m., at the church, 11101 NE 189th St., Battle Ground.

Guest speaker will be Jan Paulsen, General Conference President of Seventh-day Adventists from Washington, D.C. Paulsen is the equivalent of a worldwide president of the organization.

A fellowship at noon will follow the services, along with tours of the facility.

The Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church was formally chartered on March 31, 1906, with 13 recorded members. The congregation now numbers over 1,100, with Senior Pastor Rick Bowes and four other pastors.

The church also operates elementary and secondary schools, plus a Community Service Center that is open Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for food and clothing distribution.

The church began meeting in the second floor of Meadow Glade Academy high school until a church building was constructed in 1912.

The current building was completed in 1947.

The Meadow Glade church recently completed a four-year, $5.1 million renovation project that added 19,000 square feet to the existing church.

The additional space is primarily for classrooms and offices, with sanctuary seating remaining at about 900.

Church officials plan to reconstruct portions of the high school later this year, replacing the administration building. That work is expected to cost another $5 million.

Descendants of charter members still active

Descendants of some of the 13 charter members remain active in the Adventist Church and/or the Meadow Glade church.

Charter members John R. Clark and his wife, Fannie, were early residents of Meadow Glade. Arriving about 1899, they donated the land for what is now Columbia Adventist Academy. The Clarks were leaders of the community and church. Their daughter, Nellie, was a teacher at Meadow Glade School, and their son John P. Clark was pastor of the church.

The Clark's great-grandsons, Tom Leeson, Lester Atkins and Lennie Atkins--all attended Columbia Adventist Academy. The Clark's great-great-granddaughter Laura Leeson is a student at the Academy.

Chatherine Lashier, a widow, was age 75 when the church was formed. Her great-great-grandchildren attend the Meadow Glade church: Rick Fleck, Ricky Fleck, Mike McCray, Karyelle Fleck, Jan McCray and Gloria Bascetta. Lashier's great-great-great-granddaughter Camille Bascetta also attends the Meadow Glade church.

Nellie Staley had been a charter member at the Vancouver church. Her granddaughter, Virginia Merrill, attends the Meadow Glade church.

John Staley and his wife, Marie, were also charter members. Their great-grandson, Lavon White, attends the Meadow Glade church.

Gibbs Clark and his wife, Carrie Clark, were no relation to the J.R. Clark family. Carrie's family were charter members of the Vancouver church in 1885.

Ida Ward was the daughter of John and Marie Staley.

Clem Staley was the wife of Bert Staley. Bert was the son of John and Marie Staley.

Elisha Lawson and his wife, Ida Lawson, came to Meadow Glade for education. Ida was the daughter of Catherine Lashier.

Josie Staley-Sturgess, was the daughter of John and Marie Staley.

The public is invited to attend the anniversary celebration.

WORK ON POWER PLANT MAY START IN 2008

Permitting work underway for plant in Kalama

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Construction of a 600-megawatt coal gasification power plant in the Port of Kalama could begin in 2008.

Environmental studies for the Energy Northwest project, known as the Pacific Mountain Energy Center, are underway.

Energy Northwest is a power consortium of 19 utilities operating in Washington.

Consortium officials agreed last year to lease 80 acres of port property for 50 years. The site is located immediately north of Steelscape, Inc.

The plant, an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) complex, is expected to have a $1 billion price tag.

Port commissioner Fred Swanstrom said construction of the plant will employ several hundred workers. The finished plant will create about 100 family-wage jobs, he said.

Clean power source

Energy Northwest spokesman Brad Peck said the plant will be "clean-burning" because it will create power by gasifying feedstocks instead of burning them.

Regulated emissions will rival and potentially out-perform those from a natural gas plant, Peck said.

Carbon dioxide, a colorless, odorless gas regarded as a greenhouse gas, is a by-product of the process.

Peck said Energy Northwest is researching ways to capture and contain the gas rather than release it into the atmosphere. When available, the technology will be installed at the Kalama site, he said.

Other by-products are marketable sulfur, and an inert glassy slag that is marketed for road beds, landfill covers and other applications.

Cowlitz PUD spokesman Dave Andrew said the Port, close to I-5, rail, shipping and electric transmission facilities, is an excellent site for the power complex.

Cowlitz PUD is not a member of Energy Northwest but purchases power from the Nine Canyon Wind Project, one of four power generating facilities owned by the consortium.

Andrew said PUD officials, if needing more power, would probably look to the IGCC facility if the project meets standards of fuel diversification, affordability and environmental responsibility.

LITTLE DOG LOST IN BATTLE GROUND

Reward offered

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Monica McNeil is hoping some kind soul in Battle Ground is keeping her dog safe for her.

Moses, a 2-year-old, 4.5 lb Yorkshire Terrier/Shitzu mix dog with light and dark brown fur and wearing a blue sweater, escaped from his dogsitter's home in Battle Ground on March 4. He was last seen about 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Slavik Church at SR-503 and NW Onsdorff Blvd.

McNeil and her dog are constant companions, said her mother, Joan McNeil of Gig Harbor. Moses sits in his doggie tote bag and accompanies the 19-year-old Portland State University student everywhere, including classes.

Moses is also company in her McNeil's apartment, away from her family for the first time.

The dog keeps McNeil calm and helps her focus on studies, her mother said. McNeil struggles with learning disabilities such as dyslexia and mental processing. In fact, the dog provided inspiration to pursue a college degree amidst her several struggles.

"What takes someone 20 minutes to do takes her five hours," Joan McNeil said of her daughter. "I really hope she doesn't flunk because of this. She really struggles in school as it is."

On March 4, McNeil attended a wedding in Battle Ground. She didn't want to leave Moses at home alone for an extended period of time, so she asked a Battle Ground area friend to watch him.

Unused to being without his master, Moses became distressed with strangers and escaped, Joan McNeil said. He disappeared quickly in spite of instant search efforts.

McNeil posted more than 100 fliers in the Battle Ground area over the weekend and comes to the city every day to search for her companion.

"We were inseparable," McNeil said. "He was just the best dog in the world and I love him so much. I just have to find him."

A reward of $50 and homemade cookies is offered, Joan McNeil said. It's all she can offer because of her limited student budget, her mother said.

Battle Ground police and code enforcement officers have been notified about the missing dog.

Anyone with information is asked to call Monica McNeil at (253) 732-4849, Joan McNeil at (253) 225-2202, or Battle Ground police at 342-5200.

COUNCIL CONSIDERS MERIWETHER HEARING

Opponents and supporters of a proposed property annexation in Woodland may get a chance to comment on the plan.

The Woodland City Council voted March 6 to have a public hearing on an ordinance that would annex land on Scott Hill for a future subdivision, if such a hearing is legal.

The council has already approved a subdivision of 113 acres inside the city and adjacent to the Scott Hill property.

Public works director Rob VanderZanden said he would research the legality of a hearing.

The proposed annexation has drawn criticism from people who live along Insel Road.

A group of residents has hired Vancouver lawyer John Karpinski to review the environmental issues associated with a planned unit residential development that is part of the overall project.

The council approved the first reading of the annexation ordinance.

Council member Bruce Summers said he supports the idea of a public hearing.

"This is 100 acres, a little bigger than our usual annexation hearings," he said.

"I haven't heard a single peep about it (the annexation proposal). It makes me wonder if people haven't heard," he said. "I would think for an annexation of this size people would have something to say."

When completed the entire subdivision is projected to have 300 homes.

COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTION INSPECTION COSTS

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Fire inspections of public buildings have caused controversy among business owners, and Woodland City Council member John J. Burke brought the issue to the city council March 7.

"I've had lots of questions about the costs," said Burke who owns a downtown Woodland business. "I think we shouldn't be charged an annual fee since we pay taxes."

The city council adopted the fire inspection fee last spring. Inspections began last fall. Until then, there were no fire inspections in the city, said fire chief Tony Brentin.

Washington law requires that public buildings obey state fire codes, Brentin said.

"Counties inspect the rural areas and cities inspect in the cities," he said.

The minimum fee charged businesses is $52, but the fees increase based on building size and operation, Brentin said. The average is about $82.43, he said.

City-owned buildings were the first to be inspected, and a few code violations were discovered.

"We found some problems, and we're spending $3,200 to update the electrical service," Brentin said.

The fees help pay the salary of a second firefighter, hired to perfom inspections.

Council member Jim Tone expressed concern that the inspections have not generated as much money as the city anticipated.

"We are admittedly off to a slow start," Brentin said.

Since September, the fire department has inspected more than 31 buildings and generated $1,782.

Tone said he had expected the inspections to bring in about $10,000 during the first year.

Council member Bruce Summers disagreed with Burke's objection to the inspection fees, and he said he does not believe the cost of inspections should come from the general fund.

"I can't believe businesses do not want to pay to make their place safe for their customers and employees," he said. "Where is the money coming from if not the fees? Not the general fund."

Council members generally supported the idea of regular fire inspections but disagreed on how to pay for them.

"I don't think the businesses should have to pay for this service," said council member Erica Rainford. "The best solution is no charge."

Rainford suggested that if a business does not pass inspection the first time, it should pay for a re-inspection.

There are no fines for failing to pass inspection, Brentin said. A building owner has 30 days to fix problems, but if owners need more time, that is usually granted, he said.

Several potential fire dangers have been found as a result of inspections, Brentin said.

Two buildings were equipped with non-functioning alarms, and in another the sprinkler system had not been tested or maintained for 10 years, he said.

"When the sprinkler system was tested, it would not activate the alarm system in the building," he said. "If we can identify problems before there's a fire, you may prevent a fire, or you can make sure all systems are operating. It's a small investment to make sure everything is safe."

The council took no vote on the inspection issues, and Tone suggested that the city wait another year before making any changes.

The Woodland City Council has decided to take a look at the possible effects of a proposed La Center casino on the city.

"We are close enough that we'll be affected," Mayor Doug Monge told the council March 6.

Most council members indicated that they did not want to take a position on the casino but would like to hear presentations from both sides.

"I'd like to stay out of it," said council member Erica Rainford. "It's a Ridgefield-La Center issue."

Monge said that the effects of a large casino would be regionwide.

"Our police and fire departments will be impacted," he said.

The Woodland Fire Department has mutual aid agreements with Clark Fire District 12 that serves La Center and Ridgefield.

The casino complex with hotel, restaurant and other amenities has been proposed by the Cowlitz tribe for the interchange of La Center Road and I-5. A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the tribe and Clark County. La Center is also considering a memorandum of understanding.

Monge said he would invite representatives to speak to the council in a public session. No date has been set.

The Highland subdivision annexed to La Center will be the last annexation until the city updates its sewer and transportation plans.

La Center public works director Jeff Sarvis said the city needs to look at the city's infrastructure as it grows.

Wallis Engineering has been hired to update the plan which will be ready in July, Sarvis said.

"We're being cautious and, I guess, responsible in our master plan," Sarvis said. "We don't want to annex more until we know for sure our plans for collecting, treatment--and how we're going to pay for it. We want to know our transportation impacts as well."

Eight annexations, including the 25-acre Ritola property, have been put on hold, said city planner Dale Miller of E2 Land Use Planning Services.

"These cannot be annexed until the sewer plan is updated," he said. "That should take place some time next fall."

Between 52 and 70 homes had been proposed for the Ritola subdivision.

Originally the 26-acre Highland subdivision was presented as a planned unit development, with smaller lot sizes and common open space. But the city council overturned its ordinance allowing PUDs.

Highland will be developed for about 100 homes, instead of the 120 first proposed.

The city and developer Felida Rose LLC had a pre-application meeting in February, and Miller said he has heard nothing since.

The developer's next step will be to present a full application to be heard by the city planning commission.

ALERT TEACHER GIVES BREATH OF LIFE

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

A La Center pre-school teacher found her CPR knowledge vital recently when a 2 1/2-year-old girl stopped breathing.

Kathy Morrison, an assistant teacher with Highland Lutheran Pre-School and Kindergarden, was watching the school children one day on a field trip to the Kids Club in Vancouver.

Suddenly, there was an accident on one of the slides. Two children had started down together, and the little girl somehow got turned around and in front of a little boy, Morrison said.

"He accidentally hit her in the chest with his feet," Morrison said. "I said, 'He's going to knock the wind out of her.'"

The girl fell to the ground, and Morrison picked her up.

"She reached up her arms and let me pick her up, but she never made a sound," Morrison said.

The child's mother was present and took the little girl in her arms.

"Her body went limp, her eyes rolled back in her head," Morrison said. "Her mom started to scream, 'She's not breathing.'"

Time stopped for an instant, and Morrison said she can't remember details, but somebody laid the 2 1/2-year-old on the ground.

"I checked and she wasn't breathing," Morrison said. "I leaned her head back and plugged her nose and gave her a breath. She started breathing again."

Paramedics were called and the child was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.

Morrison said the little girl brought her a card and flowers after the incident, and "she's fine."

The La Center teacher did not react until after the incident was over.

"During the whole thing it was 'do what you have to do.' Afterward I was terrified, and I hoped I didn't hurt her," she said. "I just cried."

Teachers at the pre-school are required to take CPR classes every two years.

"We have to be trained, but you never think you'll have to use it," she said.

LILAC LOVERS TO GATHER AT KLAGER GARDENS

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Lilac lovers from across the nation--and perhaps from outside the U.S.--will gather in April in Woodland for an international convention.

The focus of the convention is the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, 115 S. Pekin Road. Members of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society, the organization that owns the Victorian-era house and grounds, are the hosts for the convention.

The all-volunteer society has worked on the upcoming convention for more than a year, organizing dinners and luncheons, finding speakers and working with the city's hotels.

"All the participants are booked in Woodland," said society president Joyce Carlson.

About 80 guests, who will begin arriving on Wed., April 19, will stay in Woodland motels, and many of the meetings and dinners will be held at the Oak Tree Restaurant and the Best Western Woodland Inn.

Two members, Margaret Colf Hepola and Roberta Peterson of Peterson's Farms, will have luncheons at their homes.

The core group of volunteers includes Carlson, Rebecca Roberts, publicity; Ruth Wendt, speakers; Fran Northcut, secretary; Roberta Peterson, auction, and June Paris, house committee.

A public highlight of the convention is the auction set for 2 p.m. Fri., April 12.

Roberts said the auction is the main fundraiser for the international organization, and there will be a number of rare lilac starts auctioned, as well as other plants and garden supplies.

"We want people to come to the auction," she said.

The lilac starts will come from many places in the U.S., Roberts said.

The convention comes in the midst of the lilac garden's annual open house and plant sale, which runs from April 15 to May 14.

The gardens and house will remain open to the public during the convention, Roberts said.

The international organization has been interested in coming to Woodland for many years, Carlson said.

In the early days of lilac society ownership, "volunteers dug and sold lilacs," Wendt said, and there were too few volunteers to sponsor a convention.

The society now has about 120 members with various levels of involvement. About a dozen are active in preparing for the convention.

Last year, the convention was held in Boston.

"I think they wanted a small town with a homey feeling," Northcut said. "These people are farmers and garden people."

The convention-goers won't be looking for something to do when they're not attending meetings and the auction. The lilac society has organized trips to the Lelooska Cultural Foundation in Ariel, Cedar Creek Grist Mill, the Holland America Bulb Farms, and Peterson's Farms.

The convention will end with an awards banquet Sat., April 22, but guests may register for a trip to Mount St. Helens National Monument on Sunday.

Gudrun Mahrt of Woodland's Columbia River Carbonates will be a speaker on April 21. Other speakers are Giles Waines, professor of horticulture at the University of California-Riverside, and Melissa Finn, soil biologist at Nature's Needs in Hillsboro, OR.

April 22 speakers are horticulturist Steve McCulloch of the University of Wisconsin, and Dan Meier and Kila Benge of Briggs Nursery near Porter.

AMERICAN BEAUTIES WILL GRACE ROSE FLOAT

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Four girls out of several applicants were chosen March 3 to be princesses who will adorn the Battle Ground Rose Float in the Portland Grand Floral Parade in June.

Theme of the Battle Ground float will be In Grand Style, with black, white and red colors.

The teens will wear long red gowns, long white sleeves and tiaras, and stand in front of musical notes as a Baby Grand piano rotates and invisible fingers play melodies in piano keys framed by rose garlands.

The float will appear in he Portland Grand Floral Parade in June. It will also appear in the Harvest Days parade in Battle Ground in July.

The girls were chosen based on academic skills, attendance, community service, and the ability to describe the Battle Ground community to someone who is unfamiliar with it.

Princess Julia Martin is a 17-year-old junior at Battle Ground High School. She has lived in Battle Ground her entire life.

Martin plans to be a fashion designer and/or runway consultant, and would like to attend an art institute somewhere after she graduates from high school.

She has been involved on Associated Student Body executive council as a school board representative, in yearbook, boys basketball manager for varsity and junior varsity, Science Olympiad, freshman mentoring, and National Honor Society.

Martin has also played softball for 11 years, and been involved with cross country, girls bowling and girls golf. She won a Citizenship Award for being a natural helper.

In the community, Martin volunteers at the Battle Ground Community Library, North County Community Food bank, and Colonial House assisted living.

Martin is the daughter of Leslie and Dennis Frye and Mike Martin.

Princess Kristen Marini is a 16-year-old junior at Battle Ground High School. She plans to attend the University of Washington after graduation and earn a degree in business and financial advising.

Marini has been involved in girls golf and is captain of the girls bowling team at the high school. She traveled to the state tournament with the bowling team and has won several awards at the state level for Science Olympiad. Marini won "most improved" for Science Olympiad and girls golf, and two scholarships from the American Museum of Natural History.

Community service includes volunteering at the Battle Ground Community Library, Colonial House, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She also donates and collects food for the North County Community Food Bank. She is the daughter of Sherry and John Marini.

Princess MacKenzie Strong is also a 16-year-old junior at Battle Ground High School. She plans to attend the University of Washington and study business and marketing. Strong is an active member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and DECA. She won first place in a regional DECA competition. She has also played softball, basketball and volleyball.

Strong is an intern at a bank. She attends morning classes at Clark College through the Running Start Program.

Hobbies include photography, volunteering, crafts, shopping, reading and spending time with friends.

She is the daughter of Julie Arney and Gary Strong.

Princess Rachel Wiese is a 16-year-old junior at Prairie High School. She is undecided about which college to attend, but plans to own an advertising agency.

Wiese is on the school dance team where she won a Varsity Letter Award. She has also won dance camp superior awards and a scholar athlete award. She won Area 9 second place in DECA for an advertising campaign and is a freshman mentor as well.

Wiese volunteers for the Salvation Army doing clerical work and working in the food pantry.

Wiese enjoys srapbooking. She is the daughter of Dianne and Kevin Wiese.

The princesses will represent Battle Ground as ambassadors throughout southwest Washington in a variety of civic events and parades.

BG STEAM LOCOMOTIVE SOLD FOR $1

Longview owner plans new life

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce gained a profit when its rusty, old, oil-burning steam engine sold recently.

The City of Vancouver donated the SP&S 539 to the Chamber in 1997. It was sold for $1 to Brian Fleming of Longview in January of this year.

The engine was built in 1917 and last used on the Seattle, Portland & Spokane line. It is believed the last time it huffed and puffed was in 1955 or 1956 before it came to its final resting place in Esther Short Park in Vancouver.

It sat 40 years there before it was moved to Boise Cascade. Asbestos insulation was extracted from its boiler in preparation for its trip to Fairgrounds Park in Battle Ground.

Plans were to restore the engine in 1-2 years and eventually use it to pull a tourist and dinner train from Battle Ground to Yacolt. But it sat like a paperweight on the southwest corner of the park since 1998.

A group of volunteers calling themselves The Steam Team put in sweat equity, and raised money through fundraisers and grants.

A steel building that would cover the engine during restoration was donated from a company in Portland, dismantled and brought to the city. It was never erected, said Terri Tweedell, Chamber president, because of the cost of permits, and the expense of a foundation that would support the engine's 380,000 pounds.

The dismantled 90-foot by 100-foot building was stored at someone's home, and recently donated to that person, Tweedell said.

But even if the train had been restored to running condition, it was far too heavy for the existing tracks, Tweedell said. That realization finally put an end to restoration efforts.

And City of Battle Ground officials recently put an end to it being in the park.

Plans to turn the 8-acre park into a sports mecca beginning with a world-class skateboard facility this year where the engine now sits forced the Chamber board to move it or get rid of it.

Leftover fundraiser money was absorbed for Chamber business, Tweedell said, after the Steam Team didn't meet or pay dues for three years. The bank account had about $175, and there was a loan asset for about $8,700 that would have been available if the Team needed it for restoration or moving the engine. The Steam Team was a committee of the Chamber, as is the Rose Float Committee.

Lynn Oldham, who was the Chamber director until 1999, said she is sad to see the engine go.

"The community donated hundreds of thousands of hours in volunteer work," Oldham said. "I'm sad to see it go. I think it's the best project the Chamber ever did."

"Unfortunately, it was left to the elements and almost looks worse than when we got it from Vancouver," she added.

Not scrapped for junk

The old engine may be worth more for its metal than the expense to restore and run it.

But Fleming, a third generation machinist at Cascade Hydraulics and Machine Inc. in Longview, doesn't care.

In his letter of intent to the Chamber Board of Directors, Fleming said taking on the project and financial responsibility is all about following a dream.

As a boy playing with his model trains, Fleming dreamed of becoming a steam locomotive engineer, he said.

Fleming has already gained permission from nearby Longview Switching Company to have a spur placed on Cascade Hydraulic's property where the engine will sit while it's restored.

Once revitalized, the nearly 90-year old engine will run excursions from the waterfront in downtown Rainier, OR west to Mayger, OR, a distance of about 10 miles along the banks of the Columbia River.

Arrangements have already been made with the rail line company for that section and with Rainier officials, Fleming said.

His hope is to move it from Battle Ground in May after the ground has dried out, but no later than July 1.

"I do not want to see the locomotive become a rusting hulk," Fleming said, "but an operational piece of history in the future."

Volunteers are needed, and will be rewarded in May and June 2007 with a ride in the cab as a sign of appreciation.

WOODLAND SCHOOL BALLOTS CAUSE SOME CONFUSION

Ballots for the all mail-in Woodland School District levy election brought a little confusion for people living in Clark County, according to officials of the Cowlitz County elections office.

The election was conducted entirely by the Cowlitz County elections office even though some voters live in Clark County.

Voters in Clark County received ballots labeled for "Cowlitz County voters," but were legal ballots for the March 14 election.

The ballots included a bright pink insert that stated, "Attention Clark County Voters: This is your official ballot for the March 14, 2006 special election. On behalf of Clark County Elections, Cowlitz County Elections is conducting the special election for Woodland School District No. 404-102."

"We are receiving inquires from patrons who live in Clark County about their ballots," said Libby Nieland, Cowlitz County Elections supervisor.

"Other entities, such as school districts, were not conducting an election on March 14, so Clark County has contracted with Cowlitz County to conduct the mail-in election for the Woodland School District."

Voters who may have discarded their ballots could obtain a replacement ballots as late as election day, March 14, at the Cowlitz County Elections Office, 207 Fourth Ave., N., Kelso.

Nieland said this is not the first time Cowlitz Elections mailed ballots into Clark County. All has gone smoothly in past years, said Nieland.

The Woodland School District has about 6,361 registered voters, of whom 953 live in Clark County.

BG WANTS PUBLIC OPINION ON LEVY ISSUE

Officials of the Battle Ground School District invite public comments this week on the content of a maintenance and operations levy slated for the May 16 ballot.

Voters turned down at $67.1 million, 4-year levy in a Feb. 7 election.

School board members reduced the levy request to $59.9 million without deciding which items that would be eliminated from the previous proposal.

Levy money is used to hire additional teachers, plus counselors, assistant principals, custodians and health assistants, as well as for repairs, books and academic programs.

Public comments on the use of levy money will be taken Wed., March 15, at Laurin Middle School, and Thurs., March 16, at Amboy Middle School, both beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The proposed levy would cost taxpayers about $2.39 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation, compared to the current levy rate of $1.65 per $1,000.

The levy proposal assumes the total assessed value in the District will grow at 8% per year. The levy rate would remain constant at $2.39 per $1,000 of value over the next four years if assessed value grows at 8%, officials said, even though the dollar amount collected would increase.

The proposed levy would raise $13.3 million in 2007, $14.4 million in 2008, $15.5 million in 2009 and $16.8 million in 2010.

The board voted 4-1 in late February to adopt the new levy proposal and schedule it for the May 16 ballot. Officials have until March 31 to actually submit the matter to the Clark County Elections Office.

Information, Kelly Keister, 904-1233, or the District office, 885-5300.

Emergency resolution asks voters to replace expiring funding source

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Voters in Green Mountain School District will get another chance to replace an expiring maintenance and operations levy.

School board members Feb. 23 adopted an emergency resolution setting an April 25 Special Election that will give voters a chance to replace an expiring levy.

The new replacement levy proposes collections of $210,000 in 2007 and $240,000 in 2008.

Approximate levy rates would be $2.01 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation in 2007 and $2.19 per $1,000 in 2008.

The expiring levy, used to maintain and operate general education programs, collected $155,000 in 2005 and $160,000 in 2006. Levy rates were $1.91 per $1,000 in 2005 and $1.65 per $1,000 in 2006.

The levy rate per $1,000 dropped noticeably in 2006 because of soaring assessed valuations. Higher assessed home values reduce levy rates per $1,000 needed to collect fixed levy amounts.

District superintendent Mike Grubbs said board members decided to ask voters to approve a levy amount much lower than an approximate levy rate of $2.91 per $1,000 that voters rejected by 31 votes in February.

In setting a new levy amount, school officials scratched plans for a District music teacher.

Board members weighed various realities in setting a levy renewal amount for the April election.

They calculated costs of looming state-set cost of living increases and pension rates, climbing insurance premiums and rising transportation, food, instructional and maintenance/supply costs.

Board members also weighed increased utility costs for new school space, a need for more custodial/maintenance service, and a shrinking District reserve account.

Educational Services District 112 accountant Brett Blechschmidt handles District accounting. He said District reserves should be about $100,000.

Blechschmidt said funding needs have caused District officials to tap reserves that are now below $40,000.

YACOLT APPROVES IMPACT FEES

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Yacolt town council members approved an ordinance March 6 setting fire, parks and traffic impact fees.

Impact fees, charged on new residential and commercial development, are authorized by state law to help offset costs of capital facilities brought about by new growth and development.

The fees, new to Yacolt, were proposed by town mayor Joe Warren and approved unanimously by council members.

Fees will apply to new single-family residences, including mobile or manufactured homes, and new commercial structures.

Yacolt does not have multi-family residences.

Ordinance No. 444 lists fees for new single-family residences and mobile or manufactured homes at $150 for fire, $1,800 for parks and $2,050 for traffic.

Fees on new commercial structures are $1,050 for fire and $2,950 for traffic.

The town already collects a $1,400 school impact fee on new single-family dwellings. Town council members in 2003, arguing that student populations had not met forecasts, refused a Battle Ground School District request to increase school impact fees to $3,000.

Traffic impact fees on new single-family homes are $2,038 in Battle Ground, $1,984 in La Center and $1,943 in Ridgefield.

Commercial traffic impact fees are computed from a trip-generation formula.

Park impact fees on new single-family homes are $1,829 in Battle Ground, $1,270 in La Center and $1.933 in Ridgefield.

Battle Ground, like Yacolt, is not situated within a fire district and charges a fire impact fee of $141.

Town clerk/treasurer Brenda Finnegan said special accounts will be set up for each impact fee. She said fees can be accumulated for six years before being spent, allowing sufficient accumulation to make purchases meaningful.

Battle Ground collects $3,000 school impact fees on new single-family homes. La Center collects $4,442; Ridgefield collects $3,130.

Water service in Yacolt is provided by Clark Public Utilities. The town has no sewer system. Homes are served by individual septic systems.

Finnegan said about 60 acres of residential land within town limits may have future development potential. About 15 acres in commercial zones have future development potential, she said.

OBITS

KAYLINE ERCEG

Kayline Louise (Kemp) Erceg, 47, died March 7, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Erceg was born Oct. 27, 1958, in Portland, and lived in Clark County her entire life, the last 11 1/2 years in Battle Ground.

Erceg loved working with children at her job as a residential life counselor for Washington State School for the Blind. She was a member of the River of Life Nazarene Church. She enjoyed fishing, cribbage and watching horse races. She also enjoyed children's ministries and supporting missions.

Survivors include husband Dennis Erceg, at home, mother Anita Kemp of Battle Ground, step-children Jennifer Evans and Amy Arcineaga, both of Oregon, and Hailee Hughs of Vancouver, sister Corleen Fahrni of Battle Ground, and niece Andrea Fahrni of Vancouver.

Burial was at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Vancouver, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

STEVEN LONG SR.

Steven Lee Long Sr., 53, died March 6, 2006, in Vancouver.

Long was born May 10, 1952, in Goldendale, worked as a pulp division supervisor in paper manufacturing, and lived in Clark County for 25 years.

Long was a fan of the Seahawks. He liked fast cars, western movies and Dachshunds.

Survivors include mother Irene Kelly of Battle Ground, sons Steven Long Jr. of Vancouver and Bryan Saunders of Federal Way, brothers Ralph Long of Vancouver, Merlin Long of Wahkiacis and Terry Lingle of Amboy, sisters Susan Slider of Battle Ground and Cindy Plamondon of Ariel, and four grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sat., March 18, 11 a.m., at Landmark Christian Assembly, 1504 W Main St., Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

JAROSLAV SEDIVY

Jaroslav Karosjlav Sedivy, 74, died March 8, 2006, in Vancouver.

Sedivy was born April 3, 1931, in Kladno, Czechoslovakia, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, and lived in Clark County for 20 years. He worked as a real estate agent.

Sedivy was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, V.F.W., and Shriners. He enjoyed fishing and hiking, and was a "ladies man." He traveled by VW bus. He was considered a great cook, especially of sauerkraut.

Sedivy was preceded in death by a son, Patrick Sedivy, in 1984. Survivors include daughters Patricia Sedivy of Kentucky and Pamela Bortz of Arizona, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and friends Tim and Terri Tweedell of Battle Ground.

Funeral services were slated for Tues., March 14, 11 a.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

MABEL BEISE

Mabel (Parmantier) Beise, 93, died March 7, 2006, in Bothell.

Beise was born Dec. 28, 1912, in Portland, and moved with her family to Vancouver at age 6 where she lived until 1998 when she moved to be near her daughter in Bothell.

Beise is remembered for her sense of humor. She enjoyed caring for others while working at a Clark County hospital as a nurses aide and doing x-rays. She loved people, singing and playing her organ.

Beise was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Vancouver, active in Ladies Aide and helping with the school.

Beise was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Beise, brothers Delbert, Caryl, and Robert, and sister Elease. Survivors include daughter Marilyn Elhart of Bothell, brother Thomas Parmantier, and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sat., March 18, 1 p.m., at St. John Lutheran Church, Vancouver, with the Bothell Funeral Home in charge cremation and other arrangements.

HAROLD EILTS

Harold Marcus Eilts, 72, died March 6, 2006, at home in Elkton, OR.

Eilts was born Feb. 7, 1934, in Alamo, TX. He lived in Hockinson 1969-1998, worked in concrete finishing for 35 years, and retired in 1998.

Eilts enjoyed building things, working with his hands, construction, water sports, skiing, and boating. He built a 50-foot concrete sailboat. He is remembered as a hard-working, family man with a good sense of humor.

Eilts was preceded in death by sister Carolyn Michel. Survivors include widow Juanita Eilts, at home in Elkton, OR, sons Grady Eilts of Battle Ground, Kris Eilts of La Center, Scott Eilts of Naches, and Reed Eilts of Yacolt, daughter Sunday Fritz of Venersborg, sisters Elvera Zentner of Ohio and Pauline Olson of Oregon, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Memorial services will be held Sat., March 18, 1 p.m., at Evergreen Staples Funeral Chapel, 4700 NE St. Johns Rd., Vancouver, with Evergreen Staples in charge of arrangements.

ARNOLD EIESLAND

Arnold Robert Eiesland, 94, died March 8, 2006, at home in Apache Junction, AZ.

Eiesland was born April 20, 1911, in Lake Preston, SD, and lived in Clark County for 45 years before retiring to Arizona.

Eiesland worked in logging, road construction and farming, and retired from Alcoa.

Eiesland enjoyed traveling, visiting with people, and telling stories. He also enjoyed golfing and watching ball games, especially the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns. He lived through nine presidents. He was known as Mr. Fix-it and could repair anything.

Eiesland had danced to the Lawrence Welk Band in South Dakota.

Survivors include widow Emma Eiesland, at home in Arizona, sons Marvin Eiesland of Arizona, Robert Eiesland of Dallesport, Kenneth Eiesland and Larry Eiesland, both of Ridgefield, and Jerry Eiesland, Rick Eiesland and Vern "Butch" Eiesland, all of Oregon, daughters Arlene Bjur of Ridgefield, Shirley Bjur of Kelso and Jean Jarl of Arizona, 29 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Viewing will take place Fri., March 17, noon-9 p.m., at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Vancouver. A memorial service is set for Sat., March 18, 2 p.m., at Mt. View Christian Center, 28102 NE 259th St., Ridgefield. Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.